Noreen had just completed a heart examination at the hospital.
A serious look settled on Lydia Edwards' face. "Your heart is getting weaker, and it won't hold on much longer. You need a transplant as soon as possible. Have you told Michael about your condition?"
Instead of answering, Noreen lowered her gaze and remained quiet.
Frustration crept into Lydia's voice. "Why haven't you told him? If it weren't for him, your body wouldn't be in this state!"
Those words immediately brought back a memory Noreen had buried deep inside her heart.
It was true—Michael owed her his life too. She'd felt bitter resentment countless times over the years, yet his cold cruelty these two years since he lost his memory had worn every bit of that resentment away. Eventually, she no longer saw a reason to keep fighting.
Besides, if Michael hadn't protected her during that accident, she wouldn't have survived.
From this moment on, she and Michael owed each other nothing.
......
Since Lydia had grown up alongside Noreen, she knew every detail of the painful story. She also understood that the situation wasn't as simple as blaming one person. All she could do was let out a quiet sigh. "If Michael ever remembers everything and realizes how he's treated you these past two years, he won't be able to forgive himself."
Three years ago, back in that small town, Michael's love for Noreen had been sincere and unmistakable.
Just as Noreen was about to respond, her phone vibrated. A message from an unfamiliar number appeared on the screen. Attached to it was a single photograph.
In the picture, Michael was sleeping peacefully. Resting against his chest was a woman wearing a bright smile as she looked into the camera. The intimate pose made it clear how much she enjoyed capturing that private moment.
The photo had been taken the night before. It was obvious that whatever Michael hadn't gotten at home, he had gone somewhere else to find.
A faint, bitter smile appeared on Noreen's face. After putting her phone away, she finally responded to what Lydia had said earlier. "That's all behind me now. I was foolish, and I ended up giving everything I had to a jerk."
......
Rather than respond to Hayley Marsh's provocative message, Noreen chose to ignore it. Even so, she unexpectedly ran into Hayley herself in the hospital hallway.
A medical file rested in Hayley's hands as she deliberately stepped into Noreen's path. "What a surprise, Noreen. Are you here because you're sick?"
Then she lightly lifted the folder and smiled. "Don't misunderstand. I'm only here because Michael came in for a check-up."
Behind her, the examination room door stood slightly open. From where she was standing, Noreen could see Michael seated inside. Only the side of his face was visible, and he appeared to have his eyes closed.
As Michael's personal doctor, Hayley spent a great deal of time around him. Although neither of them had ever openly admitted to being involved, they were almost always together.
Feeling drained, Noreen had no interest in staying any longer. Before she could leave, Hayley moved closer and lowered her voice. "Did you see the picture I sent you? Aren't you going to say anything about it?"
Calmly, Noreen met the smug look in her eyes. She wasn't someone who looked for trouble, but she never avoided it when it came her way. A small smile touched her lips. "It's only a photo. What exactly am I supposed to say? Next time, send a video instead. Don't bother hiding anything either. I'd be happy to judge how well you performed."
For a moment, Hayley could only stare at her in shock. She seldom challenged Noreen face-to-face, and she certainly hadn't expected such a bold response.
Just as Noreen stepped forward to leave, something caught her attention. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Michael opening his eyes. His gaze landed directly on her.
